Fasano tells Scott to let redistricting review proceed

Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, hand-delivered a letter to the governor's office Wednesday, urging Gov. Rick Scott to allow a federal review of the two voter-approved changes to redistricting standards in Florida. In his letter, Fasano notes that while he -- like Scott -- opposed both amendments, they were ratified by more than 60-percent of Florida voters, and their wishes should be honored.

"We as a state must move forward," Fasano wrote. "By allowing the federal review to move forward, you will be assisting the Legislature in doing one of the most important functions it has: drawing the congressional and legislative districts."

Scott on Jan. 7 reversed a previous action by former Gov. Charlie Crist, who has asked the U.S. Justice Department to undertake the review of Amendments 5 and 6, a process known as "pre-clearance" under the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Scott said he interrupted the action because the census data upon which reapportionment is based is not yet complete.